Heritage Legal Scholars Comment on Miers's

About the Author

Washington, Oct. 27, 2005-Edwin
Meese III, Chairman of the Center for Legal and
Judicial Studies at the Heritage Foundation, and Todd F.
Gaziano, Director of the Center, today issued the
following statement:

"Harriet Miers has made a selfless decision, in foregoing a
potential seat on the Supreme Court to uphold important
constitutional principles that serve President George W. Bush and
all future Presidents.

"Yesterday, it became quite clear that the Senate would seek
documents and testimony from Ms. Miers that would violate executive
privilege, which is necessary for careful and sound decision-making
in the White House. Such disclosures would implicate both the
deliberative process and national security protections recognized
by the Supreme Court in landmark executive privilege decisions.
These are very serious issues for anyone who serves as White House
Counsel.

"We know that Ms. Miers is personally committed to protecting the
President's privilege, not just for the sound decision-making
process of this Administration, but for all future Administrations
that will benefit from this essential constitutional
protection.

"Now, the President must act once more to fulfill his commitment to
nominate another individual who has a proven track record of
fidelity to the Constitution and laws as they are written."